iVillage: 10 Ways to Keep Mosquitos Out of Your Yard

Grow Your Own Repellents

If you’re interested in more natural ways to keep mosquitos away, there are many plants with mosquito-repelling properties. You may have seen citronella candles, but some gardeners suggest growing the plant itself. The plants cost about $6 each. Consider also growing pennyroyal, a plant in the mint family that mosquitos hate because of the smell (ants and mice hate it, too). Some also swear by basil and lemongrass, which has higher concentrations of citronella in its oils. Lesser known? Catnip, which has oils that can be as effective as DEET, according to "The Healthy Home" by Dr. Myron Wentz and Dave Wentz. These natural methods may keep mosquitos away from the immediate area but they won’t necessarily eradicate the problem, warns Damien Sanchez, owner of Mosquito Squad D.C. “I don’t believe you’re going to experience any kind of permanent rest from the mosquitos,” he says.

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Thanks to warmer than usual winter and spring weather, mosquito outbreaks are expected to be pretty bad this summer. We asked experts for their go-to tips to keep you bite-free. -Sadia Latifi Remove Standing Water If you want a permanent solution to getting rid of your mosquitos, you’ve got to remove places where mosquitos can breed. Adult mosquitos lay eggs in stagnant or slow-moving water, so eliminating these water sources can prevent future generations of these pests from calling your yard home. Change birdbath water weekly and pump out excess water from your pool cover. Keep pools clean and chlorinated and make sure decorative ponds are aerated in order to keep water moving. Even if you don’t have a pond, check children’s sandboxes, dog bowls, grill covers, flower pots, and gutters, which are all hot spots for holding water. Add pea gravel or mulch to areas with drainage issues in order to soak up mud. Make sure to regularly check your property for these issues, especially after rainfall.

Remove excess grass, leaves, firewood, and clippings from your yard. Mosquitos like dark patches of foliage because it serves as a place for them to rest, according to Shannon Bennett, a microbiologist at the California Academy of Sciences. Turn over larger yard items like children’s toys, which could hold water. Take special note of tarps, too. If they’re not stretched over firewood piles or boats tightly, they’re probably holding water.

If you want to eradicate mosquitos in your area without having to call for extra help, try mosquito dunks. The circular dunks include BTI, a specific pesticide that is harmless to people, pets, and wildlife. Place the dunks wherever water accumulates, and you’ll be rid of the pests for the entire season. The dunks kill mosquito larvae before they mature into biting adults. “It’s very effective and safe for everything,” Bennett says.

Many parents are choosing natural and organic products, especially because they don’t want to expose their kids or pets to pesticides. Luckily, there are many products on the market that offer safer alternatives to DEET-based repellents. There’s BugBand, which is made with Geraniol, a plant-based ingredient that has been effective at repelling mosquitos in field studies. You can get it as a spray, towelette, or a wristband. The wristbands release vapors that form a protective shield, keeping insects a distance away for up to 120 hours. TERRO Mosquito Repellent is a DIY pest control product, made from a blend of natural botanical oils, including citronella. You can sprinkle the granules of the product wherever mosquitos are a nuisance. AWAY is an organic bug repellent that uses only all-natural ingredients, available in pouches or tins that can be placed at outdoor events or while you’re sitting poolside. Mosquito Barrier markets a garlic extract that can be used all over the lawn with good results. Prefer to make your own? Liquefy garlic bulbs and hot peppers in a blender with water. Add vegetable oil to your garlic spray and use throughout your lawn.

If you’re interested in more natural ways to keep mosquitos away, there are many plants with mosquito-repelling properties. You may have seen citronella candles, but some gardeners suggest growing the plant itself. The plants cost about $6 each. Consider also growing pennyroyal, a plant in the mint family that mosquitos hate because of the smell (ants and mice hate it, too). Some also swear by basil and lemongrass, which has higher concentrations of citronella in its oils. Lesser known? Catnip, which has oils that can be as effective as DEET, according to "The Healthy Home" by Dr. Myron Wentz and Dave Wentz. These natural methods may keep mosquitos away from the immediate area but they won’t necessarily eradicate the problem, warns Damien Sanchez, owner of Mosquito Squad D.C. “I don’t believe you’re going to experience any kind of permanent rest from the mosquitos,” he says.

Plant foliage native to your region, says Cassy Aoyagi, president of FormLA Landscaping. Mosquitos and other pests are often attracted to environments created when non-native plants require the use of excessive water and fertilizers. “We can also import mosquitos from other areas when we import their habitats,” she said.

To save the backyard barbecue, throw sage and rosemary on the hot coals. According to home and garden experts at BrightNest, “mosquitos hate these plants and will stay away.” As a bonus, the herbs will add a nice smell to your outdoor shindig. Replace outdoor lights with yellow bulbs, which are less attractive to mosquitos. Products such as tiki torches and lanterns will keep the pests away from the immediate area where you’re dining al fresco. For outdoor structures, consider adding sheer fabric or mosquito netting to the cover the area where you’re sitting. Repair any holes in mesh window screens and doors to prevent mosquitos from coming inside your home.

If you’ve got a pond, adding fish like bluegills, minnows, green sunfish, and gambusia can help control mosquitos in water. It’s also true that bats and purple martins are mosquito-eaters, but the effort to attract them to your garden may not be worth it. Even if a bat can catch hundreds of mosquitos in an hour, there are still millions or even billions of mosquitos in a certain area, Sanchez explains.

Dark clothing attracts mosquitos, so wear bright-colored clothing when spending time outdoors. (It’s more seasonal, anyway!) Keep fabrics looser, too, because some mosquitos can bite through tighter-fitting clothing. When outdoors near woodlands and areas with tall grass, wear long sleeves and socks if possible. There’s also some research that mosquitos are attracted to motion, says Henricksen. “It’s busy moms out there running after their kids that find themselves being bitten the most.”

Before stepping outside, spray an insect repellent on exposed skin. The Center for Disease Control has identified three ingredients that are effective as long-lasting insect repellents: DEET, Picaridin, and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. “People have gotten very good at wearing sunscreen, and we want them to be diligent in using insect repellent as well,” said Missy Henricksen, of the National Pest Management Associaton. “Wear it every time you go outside.” Don’t go overboard with application, either. “We live in a society where people believe more is better. More insect repellent doesn’t do more,” she said. “ We recommend people follow the labeling instructions.”